So, I've probably ruined my metabolism from years of on and off dieting, not eating right, etc. I've always been active, but it's nearly impossible to lose. I restrict calories and workout, but the weight never leaves. I've tried supplements - which work to a degree. Any suggestions to repair my metabolism and shed my weight forever? I don't mind if it is slow...as long as it does happen. I get frustrated when I work my butt off and eat well with no signs of improvement.

Mon. Nov 13, 8:48am

What are you doing to track your success? Things get slow sometimes but you have to be honest with yourself - be sure you're logging every little morsel that enters your mouth. Also, track more than just scale pounds - try to track measurements with a tape measurer and pounds of fat with a body fat % reading.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 9:22 AM

I had a frustrating year when, even writing down my exercise time and writing down my food intake was not taking off any weight at all. When I finally started totaling the actual net calorie values along with the food and exercise (caloriesperhour.com), then I could see what was happening and the weight has been consistently dropping since then. By net calories, I mean total calories eaten minus total calories burned in exercise = about 1200 calories per day.

what are you talking about? the article linked to is NOT spam, nor am i the sort of person who would post something i thought to be spam. it has useful information regarding the very subject the OP asked about. why would you call it spam? please explain yourself and let me in on the information you have, because i would not want to be "fooled" again into posting that which is spam.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 10:45 AM

The 10:30 poster is obviously a troublemaker, and quite possibly the person who has been rudely calling other posters idiotic and ridiculous for the past few days. Just ignore them.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 10:49 AM

I'm not the OP or the "spammer" and I wasn't going to check out the link until that comment.

Thank you 10:30am. The article posted is a very helpful article with tips on weight loss. I don't see anything it's trying to sell or any 'bad advise' upon my quick skim of the article. It's very long and looks really good, Thank you 9:36am for posting this. Thank you 10:30am for making me read it.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 10:50 AM

OP Here

Right now, my BMI is sitting about 30 - granted I don't see myself as obese. Yes, I am a overweight, and I know this. Obese to me is someone who can't get out of bed because they are so huge.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 10:50 AM

Okay please don't take this wrong but a sign of our times is that most people today defined as obese don't see themselves as obese. According to your BMI of 30.0 you are technically obese (vary borderline 29.9 is simply overweight).

Starting writing down your calories you may be surprised how many there really are, watch portion sizes and remember ANYTHING that goes in your mouth has caloires, gum, liquids.. anything.

Also add weight training into your excercise routine. Read the article that was posted, it talks about how during these past diets you've probably lost a lot of muscle which was working to burn calories. The best way to increase your metabolism is to work at getting that muscle back.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 10:57 AM

To the 10:30 halfwit - after reading that article, it's clear that you have no clue what spam is. Go back to your paranoid little world and leave the rest of us alone.

To the OP: I'm in the same state. My daily calorie deficit can be as high as 2000 calories on some days and it makes no difference. The only times I've seen significant sudden drops in weight were during unexpected times, like after having a bad cold (it was real weight - I was well-hydrated) or a week of cutting back by 200 calories (I don't stay there for long - body gets used to it too fast) or the week after a week of eating vegan (blech). So I suggest doing something very different for two weeks and see what happens.

Monday, November 13, 2006, 11:28 AM

Are you consistent in your recent weight loss efforts? I "thought" I was doing everything right too, then I started measuring my food. I was eating way more than I thought I was. So maybe try measuring your food? And analyze whether you are being 100% honest about what you are eating. Your metabolism should get back to normal after continued consistent efforts. Good luck!

Monday, November 13, 2006, 1:59 PM

I like the link. If you have been on a real low-calorie diet (i.e., it's not just that you've accidentally miscounted) and the pounds aren't moving, here are my suggestions:

1. No matter how much you decide to eat, divide it up into more frequent meals each day. So, let's say you were eating 1500 (cause that's an easy number for me to divide) and were eating three meals of 500 calories each, try eating five meals of 300 calories each or seven meals of 200+ calories per day.

2. Assuming you figure out that you have an accurate assessment of your cals , eat MORE. That is right - MORE. When your body doesn't get quite what it needs, it becomes very efficient. No, I'm not suggestion you have donuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner and eat 8,000 calories per day, but if you are at 1200, try 1400. If you are at 1500, try 1800. You might actually be able to lose more if you get your body to stop being so damned efficient with the calories.

3. Try eating different caloric amounts on different days so you keep your body guessing. So, let's say you decide that 1200 per day is the number you want to go with. Have 1000 one day, then 1500 the next then 1100 a couple of days in a row. If you keep your body guessing, it be tricked into a little more efficiency.

4. Weight lifting, weight lifting, weight lifting.

5. Cardio first thing in the morning.

I thought Jillian Michaels' book actually had some good things to say on identifying your body type and the right eating strategy for yourself, although I find her suggestions on calories a little low. And, of course, there is Intuitive Eating which does address (burried in its specific philosophy on approaching food) how eating too little for your body leads to difficulty in losing weight. No - not spam - both books are, I would imagine, available at your local library.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 1:12 AM

I agree with the above poster..and can't emphasize weight lifting enough. Muscle is more metabolically active (takes more calories to maintain) than fat.

1)How To Achieve Sustainable Weight Loss This is a new 12 week program that helps you solve the mental blockages that are prevent many from sustainable weight loss. The most interesting thing about the program is what participants are saying and you can click on the link to read them.